Exercising apparatus.



F.'SCHNE|DER EXERIGISING APPARATUS. 1

(Application filed Jan. 31, 1898.)

No.'69l,2 95. Patented Jan. I4, I902.

(No Model.) 4

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN SCHNEIDER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHITELY EXERCISER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR- PORATION OF ILLINOIS.

EXESRCISING APPARATUS.

SIPECIFICATION formingart of Letters Patent N o. 691 ,295, dated January 14, 1902.

Application filed January 31, 1898. Serial No. 668,552. (No model.)

- j ustabilit-y of the tension of elastic elements,

an adjustability of the relative length of some of the component parts of the elastic medium or elements.

The invention also provides means for securing compound movements along peculiar and variable lines.

The invention further consists in certain details of construction fully described, and pointed out in the claims and illustrated in accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of one form of the exercising apparatus, showing at the same time in diagram certain of the-compound movements. Fig. 2 is'a simple form showing one of the adj ustable features. Figs. 3 and 4 show details of the automatic clasp for the base-cord. Fig. 5 shows the base-cord in one of the adjusting positions. Fig. 6 is a detail.

Figs. 7 and 8 show otherforms of friction-relieving shoes or clasps.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout.

My exercising apparatus consists of two elastic or resilient cords looped about each other, as shown in Fig. 2, or the equivalent, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, one of the cords being suitably supported to some solid portionsuch for instance, as the wall, floor, or ceiling of a room(it may be vertically disposed or at any other suitable angle) and the other cord (both of which are preferably elastic or resilient) being so adjusted and attached to the first-named cord as to be able to pull outwardly from the supports against some point between the supports. This point maybe midway or near either one or the other supports or in any intermediate position, not only to suit the convenience or fancy of the operator,

but primarily to secure such automatic change in the alinement of the movement as is found to be desirable in the best performance of any well-designed exercising apparatus. An apparatus of this character which can exert its tension in only one line is found far inferior to one which, while being able to perform the unilinear action, may at the same time be so adjusted asto be made to automatically vary the point from which the muscular exertion is resisted, thereby calling into action a constantly-varying number of muscles and a varied combination of muscular action. This valuable feature of the apparatus is secured by simply varying the point at which the cords are looped about each other from the center toward either of the points of support, as will'be readily understood from Fig. 1. In all these figures, A represents the base-cord; B B, the handled bearing cord or cords; a, the points at which the base-cords are anchored. a, a",anda (see also Fig. 5) represent the various support-engaging devices whereby attachment may be effected to one or the other of the anchors out. It will readily be understood that these support-engaging devices may be on both ends of the base-cord, if desired. The handles may be seen at D D, Fig. 2, and may be of any suitable form.

In Fig. 6 may be seen one of the adjusting support-engaging devices, which is formed by a heavy metal clasp C; These clasps also may be seen in the other figures. This clasp is placed around the cords at their point of crossing and is U shaped when so placed. A heavy swage then closes the points of the U, tightly grasping the cords.

It has been found that when the exerciser in the form shown in Fig. 2 is used the cords, which are usually covered by textile fabric, are rapidly worn by abrasion at their points of contact. In Figs. 3, 4, 7, and 8 are shown details of devices which I have employed to relieve this abrasion and friction. The form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 provides loose flanged tubular slides 9, more or. less loosely encircling the base-cord A. To these are secured a friction-relieving loop, through which the handled cord B may be easily drawn back Fig. 1,) and the loop is also provided with a clasping device consisting of a dog n, provided with thumb-pieces 'it' 'n'. This dog is provided in center region with a pin or pins o, cooperating with the inclined slot 0' shown in the clasp 'i. It will be seen on close inspection that this dog, cooperating with the inclined slot o, constitutes an automatic locking device between the clasp i and the base-cord A, the action of which is as follows: When the handled cord B is pulled vigorously, the base-cord A by increase of its tension grows smaller and smaller throughout its length and within the clasp I, allowing the dog 42 to slide farther and farther downward, the inclined slot 0 forcing it closer to the back wall of the clasp 2'. When again a lesser tension is existing in the cord A, it will be found to be tightlyimpinged between the dog n and the back wall of the clasp 11, securely holding the parts in position. It will furthermore be seen that this position can be at once changed and the dog forced against the base-cord A at will of the operator by evident manipulation of the dog n by means of thumb-pieces n 12.

While it is designed to use all of the various features described in the connection shown, yet it is obvious that some may be used without the others, and the invention extendsto such use.

I have spoken of one cord being looped about the other. By this termI mean to in clude any equivalent construction, and have suggested some equivalent constructions in the drawings hereto attached.

Having thus fully described the character of my said invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is- 1. Au exercisingapparatus consisting of two elastic or resilient cords adjustably connected together at or near their centers, the one suitably supported at or near its ends forminga base-cord, the other provided at its ends with operating-handles, and an adjust able connection between the two cords so that the point of connection may be varied for compounding the motion.

2. An exercising apparatus consisting of two elastic or resilient cords, one connected at or near its end to a suitable support, the other adj ustably connected with the first cord so that the point of connection may be varied, an intermediately-connecting part provided with a friction-relieving device for one of the cords.

3. In an exercising apparatus, an elastic cord or element supported at or near its ends, forming a base-cord, a loop encircling said base-cord at any suitable point between the supports, and carrying asecond cord, and an 7 FRANKLIN SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. DAULL, BUDD GRAY. 

